Liberty Oxygen
Updated 2:23 PM CDT, Mon September 14, 2015
Image for Crutches or Knee Walker? How to Know Which Type of Mobility Equipment Is Needed
Have an upcoming knee or foot surgery and concerned about being able to get around while you recover? Is your senior loved one showing signs of needing a little extra support when walking or recently took a nasty fall? Did your teenager break her leg in gymnastics? There are many options of mobility equipment on the market, but how do you know which type is best for your situation?
Crutches tend to be the first option to help with mobility after a fall or surgery, but depending on the situation a knee walker may be a much better option and should be considered. Crutches allow the user to take some or all the weight off one leg or foot. They may take a bit of practice to get comfortable using them. You may also want to have someone nearby to help keep you steady or maneuver steps, but once you get the hang of it, using crutches can be a breeze. Your doctor will recommend crutches only if the user has good balance, strength and endurance. A knee walker provides more freedom of movement for patients with below the knee injuries while supporting the injured leg in a non-weight bearing position. A knee walker is easy to use, stable, and requires minimal upper body strength.
If you break a bone, or have a bad sprain to your leg or foot, crutches may be the easiest to use to help you get around, but they require continuous balance and coordination by the user. Typically, doctors will prescribe the use of crutches only if the balance, stability and upper body strength is strong in the user. When used for several hours, underarm chafing can occur, so consider using sheepskin crutch covers on the armpit rests to make them more comfortable.
If your loved one is unable to bear weight on one of their legs but the other leg is sturdy, a knee walker might be the best option. A knee walker is designed to assist the user in keeping weight off a leg or foot due to a fracture or following a surgery. They are used as temporary assistance, on average between 6-8 weeks. Liberty Oxygen offers a rental program with knee walkers that is very popular with our customers. Be sure to ask for details at one of our eight locations if this option appeals to you. Each user may discover their own benefits to using a knee walker, but here are a few to consider:
Crutches tend to be the first option to help with mobility after a fall or surgery, but depending on the situation a knee walker may be a much better option and should be considered. Crutches allow the user to take some or all the weight off one leg or foot. They may take a bit of practice to get comfortable using them. You may also want to have someone nearby to help keep you steady or maneuver steps, but once you get the hang of it, using crutches can be a breeze. Your doctor will recommend crutches only if the user has good balance, strength and endurance. A knee walker provides more freedom of movement for patients with below the knee injuries while supporting the injured leg in a non-weight bearing position. A knee walker is easy to use, stable, and requires minimal upper body strength.
If you break a bone, or have a bad sprain to your leg or foot, crutches may be the easiest to use to help you get around, but they require continuous balance and coordination by the user. Typically, doctors will prescribe the use of crutches only if the balance, stability and upper body strength is strong in the user. When used for several hours, underarm chafing can occur, so consider using sheepskin crutch covers on the armpit rests to make them more comfortable.
If your loved one is unable to bear weight on one of their legs but the other leg is sturdy, a knee walker might be the best option. A knee walker is designed to assist the user in keeping weight off a leg or foot due to a fracture or following a surgery. They are used as temporary assistance, on average between 6-8 weeks. Liberty Oxygen offers a rental program with knee walkers that is very popular with our customers. Be sure to ask for details at one of our eight locations if this option appeals to you. Each user may discover their own benefits to using a knee walker, but here are a few to consider:
- offers non-weight bearing support to your lower leg
- your arms aren’t involved, so no arm soreness or chafing will occur
- greater stability in any type of weather
- makes everyday tasks more manageable
- lower risk of re-injury
- use is usually temporary
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